The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Thomas George Runyen (MCSN: 0-95032), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 6 September 1967, while serving as the point for Company I during Operation SWIFT in Quang Tin Province, First Lieutenant Runyen’s platoon suddenly came under intense fire from a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. Because the point element of the platoon had penetrated thirty meters inside the enemy’s perimeter, the Marines were receiving automatic weapons fire from three directions. Personally destroying three automatic weapons positions with hand grenades, he simultaneously maneuvered his men to advantageous positions where they could deliver maximum suppressive fire at the hostile emplacements. As a result of his outstanding professional ability and leadership, the effectiveness of the enemy fire was reduced, enabling the platoon casualties to be evacuated. When the enemy launched an assault against the company’s left flank, the extremely effective fire directed by First Lieutenant Runyen was instrumental in repulsing the attack and enabled the remainder of the company to consolidate its positions and recover the casualties from the battle area. Disregarding the heavy volume of hostile fire around him, he supervised the expeditious movement of all the wounded to positions of relative safety. Upon the arrival of a company of reinforcements, he quickly directed them into the perimeter and ensured that the Marines were deployed at the points of heaviest contact. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the mission. By his courage, exceptional professionalism and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, First Lieutenant Runyen upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.